This thread serves two purposes: for you guys and gals to tell me which you like better, and to answer a question I have.

I'm currently watching FMA, I'm nearly halfway through, and I'm really enjoying it. I know that Brotherhood is a rework of the series that is closer to the manga (which I haven't read). Is it worth it to watch Brotherhood after FMA or does it cover a lot of the same material?

TheComicbookKid

02-21-2012 12:50 PM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

I watched both and was kind of shocked at how it diverges in Brotherhood.

It's worth watching both.

Brotherhood was better though.

Lucien

02-22-2012 04:32 AM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

Without going into much detail, definitely watch both, they're both good for their own reasons.

To me, FMA is a somewhat more grounded story. I felt the personal journey for Ed and Alphonse was done better in FMA as it was more focused on the Philosopher's Stone as the series' ultimate goal. Philosopher's Stones are thrown about here there and everywhere in Brotherhood, and for that the revelation of the PS's true nature and the ultimate consequence of using it had less impact imo. But that was what FMA all developed up to, Brotherhood is taken in all sorts of different directions so it's a very different journey. Brotherhood does expand the world, the mythos and a lot of the secondary characters a lot more. Roy Mustang would actually be a primary character in Brotherhood, he has a much bigger part. And the Homonculi are COMPLETELY different!

Finish FMA, then watch Brotherhood and you'll appreciate the series in a whole different light.

craigdbfan

02-22-2012 06:26 AM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

Yeah this is a tad bit hard to answer. They're both great.

You should definitely watch Brotherhood after you're done with the first FMA series. It starts to dramatically change after the 15 episode or so.

Loved both and if you're enjoying the first you'll no doubt love the second series. It did take me a second to get adjusted because I was really enamored with the first series but the plot of Brotherhood starts really sucking you into this worlds rabbit hole a lot more than the first series. That's not saying it's worse or better but it's far more grandiose yet incredibly personal if those are the appropriate words to use.

It's hard to explain but just know that Brotherhood is most definitely worth watching.

Lucien

02-22-2012 10:17 AM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

I think "more grandiose" is definitely the way to describe it.

Rogue647

02-22-2012 10:02 PM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

Definitely Brotherhood! Now FMA was good, but Brotherhood was great! A lot more action and a deeper story.

TheVileOne

02-22-2012 10:35 PM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

I love both but I love Brotherhood because it's so much bigger and more epic. I like the bigger ideas of Brotherhood.

That being said though, the original series by far had the better theatrical movie. I saw the Brotherhood movie in theatres and while it was good nowhere near the level of Conqueror of Shambala.

slicer4444

02-24-2012 09:18 AM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

Thanks for the feedback guys! Guess I'll be moving on to Brotherhood when I finish FMA.

Secret Fawful

02-24-2012 11:50 AM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

Brotherhood is awful. The first series is a piece of art that people don't examine well enough, but Brotherhood is a shoddy cash-in that does a terrible job of adapting its source. Need proof: The Ishbal War. An amazing work of storytelling. Ruined in Brotherhood. And no the bloody OVA didn't fix it.

A lot of time when you ask someone why Brotherhood is better, they'll say because it's truer to the manga. That's a buzzword that doesn't mean anything. I don't care about a true adaption. I couldn't give a sh-- about that. If I see an adaption I want one that not only adapts but adds to the original, making an overall better quality experience. The first series dared to branch off and do its own thing, and that alone makes it a better adaption. Brotherhood actually makes the material in the manga worse.

Jick

02-24-2012 06:34 PM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

I started watching FMA some time ago and I'm loving it. Such a great series.
I'll be watching Brotherhood as soon as I finish it. I just hope I like it as much.

slicer4444

03-06-2012 11:39 AM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

Just finished Brotherhood and I'm gonna have to throw this one to FMA. While there were some aspects of Brotherhood I liked better, overall I liked the original better.

Lord

03-10-2012 06:40 PM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

Never watched any full metal alchemist, is Brotherhood a reboot of the story or a sequel to the original series? Are both shows even set in the same universe?

WolfCypher

03-10-2012 06:52 PM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

/\ FMA is based, loosely, from the manga. It takes the original story and goes down its own route, but is very respectful to the "feel" of the manga.

Brotherhood is far closer to the manga. The two shows have different concequneces, aftermaths, resolutions, etc.

They're alternative tales of Ed and Al. Think of it like the world of Fullmetal Alchemist has a split continuity, Zelda-style :awesome:

Lord

03-10-2012 06:53 PM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

hmhm. interesting, thanks for the info ;)

TheVileOne

03-27-2012 03:34 AM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

Brotherhood is basically the original mangaka's actual vision for the story where the original anime series diverged.

Basically I recommend you just watch both since they are all quality and you can decide which one was better.

Vic Mignogna talked about and he said to him it's all just one big adventure and he loves all of FMA.

Excelgeneration

03-28-2012 04:26 PM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

Both were good but the story from Brotherhood is just too damn good. FMA had some excellent emotional scenes that were portrayed better than Brotherhood at the beginning. As the show moved further in and got to new arcs brotherhood became the clear winner.

The reason I prefer Brotherhood is because I just like the greater variety of characters. Brotherhood also went to places that FMA didn't and gave me emotional turning point scenes I never got in FMA. For example, I hated the way FMA handled the aftermath of Hughes' death. They dragged out the Elrics finding out way too long. I wanted that emotionally heavy moment of the Elrics meeting Gracia and Elysia again and facing them after Hughes died. We never got that moment in FMA, but we got them in Brotherhood and the scenes were exactly as I envisioned them.

I also just loved the end of Brotherhood and how huge and epic it was. All the characters coming together and putting aside their differences to save the world.

Splat

04-09-2012 07:27 PM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

Yep, FMA Brotherhood > FMA.

craigdbfan

04-09-2012 08:00 PM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

I loved Brotherhoods promos on [as] too.

Splat

04-09-2012 08:18 PM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

Yeah those promos are great. And I love both series I just prefer Brotherhood.

craigdbfan

04-09-2012 08:25 PM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

Yeah they're both really great. It's really hard to say which one is better but in terms of enjoyment I liked that Brotherhood was more optimistic in certain regards while not really sacrificing depth, intrigue or drama.

The first anime I think went down a really pragmatic and incredibly depressing road which was also done really well but I prefer something that has more payoff than the first one did.

Again they're both great but Brotherhood wins the race in the end for me because it didn't make everything so futile in terms of Ed & Al's mission.

Splat

04-09-2012 08:31 PM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

Agreed, well said.

TheVileOne

04-10-2012 11:31 PM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

I love those AS promos. That shot at the end with the girl collapsing in grief in front of Ed and Al is cinematic stuff.

Jick

04-11-2012 06:11 PM

Re: Fullmetal Alchemist or Brotherhood?

I finished the first FMA last Sunday. It is a great series, but the ending felt incomplete. Like, I'm not sure of the fate of the Fuhrer's son. Did he die? I don't remember if that's told.

What about Rose's baby? What was the deal with him? Dante used him to do some weird alchemy stuff.

What happened to Dante and Glutonny? They're last seen about to face each other in the elevator, then, when it opens, they aren't there anymore? It's like they just wanted to finish this show.

I liked the answer for the source of the energy used in alchemy, though. It makes you think if it should be used. Also, it is kinda sad that Ed and Al are left in different worlds by the end.